This time of year always goes by in a blur. It’s always over before it started! It’s been a whirlwind year for me. The loss of my father has affected me greatly. And then, the election!

Let me thank everyone who braved the sunny, warm, 65-degree weather to actually come out and vote for me in November. I am looking forward to a productive and exciting new year. I am thrilled about my new position as a town councilor in Precinct 13, and hope to effect change as much as possible over the next two years.

Much has been said about the exciting new climate on the town council. I think we collectively want to move forward and bring brighter and better days to Barnstable. Could it be that we are so positive about our upcoming year that there is virtually nothing to write about? After a year of reading about embarrassing infighting and discord among the councilors, will our positive tack singlehandedly drive the editorialists in town out of business? I have to ask because most people who know me know that I don’t mince words or speak in tongues (unless it’s my less than perfect Spanish).

Come on, Paul. You know me better than that. If I wanted to speak sarcastically to Councilor Canedy, it would have been evident at the moment it left my lips. You wouldn’t have to point it out more than a week later in your column. Hopefully you can find some real fodder for next week’s column somewhere else. Give us a break with all this negativity.

That said, on my plate immediately are the following things:

Staying in touch. I would like to ask anyone interested to come by Sea Street Market and sign up for the Precinct 13 e-mail list. I will be e-mailing an informal newsletter about goings on in our precinct. My husband has promised that he will make a suggestion box for me, which we will put inside Sea Street Market. I would love you to drop by and use it. Your comments are important to me and I would like to hear your concerns and feedback about our town.

I am planning to have informal monthly meetings as well. I’d like to meet in different local businesses after hours. The plan is to introduce people who care about our community in an effort to strengthen the common fabric of our town. We will choose a different location each month, which I will announce via e-mail. I also have a very strong inclination to meet at various private homes in different areas of the precinct. If you are interested in hosting a meeting in your house, please stop by and let me know. In this way, I hope to meet with all those who care to express their concerns to me.

Our first meeting will be at 6 p.m. at the Spa at Sea Street on Friday, Jan. 13. Hope to see you there!

The Cleanup of Stewart’s Creek. While I was campaigning, constituents from both sides of the creek complained that poor tidal flow and the stagnant water led to foul odor and mosquitos. People who at one time could kayak from their back door now have 100 yards of marsh that has filled in because of lack of tidal flow. I have met with Acting Town Manager Tom Lynch and DPW Director Mark Ells regarding the timeline for this long overdue project. The project is slated to go out to bid in January, and slated to begin (once again, I know…) in the fall. It is the Army Corps of Engineers’ opinion that a new culvert will alleviate most of the tidal stagnation that the residents of Stewart’s Creek are experiencing. I know that this has been a long time coming. You have my word that I will be diligent in pursuing the completion of this project.

Also in the mix is a new sidewalk and guardrail for this otherwise absolutely beautiful stretch between Hyannis and Hyannis Port. I hope never to see another terrified mother with a stroller or runner or bicyclist along this stretch of Ocean Avenue. Although the one thing that Sea Street does not need right now is another project that involves digging up the ground, this is one thing we can’t wait another minute on. Let’s get it done, already.

A bike lane from Hyannis Port to Main Street. At this point, it is a pet project of mine.I would like to see a bike lane developed looping Hyannis Port to Main Street in Hyannis. I think it is an excellent way to keep tourists in Hyannis all day: enjoying a bike tour of Hyannis Port, then biking to one of the beaches, then finishing up on Main Street. What a great way to encourage people to shop Main Street, while beautifying Sea Street, Gosnold, and surrounding streets. And what a great way to show pride in our seaside neighborhoods.

Support BID. I would like to offer my support to Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District. I believe that a fresh voice from the council to encourage Main Street’s revitalization is a fantastic way to boost the encouraging growth we are now witnessing. I hope that the neighborhood meetings on Main Street will help the residents of Precinct 13 open their hearts and minds to the merchants on Main. As I know firsthand, it is no easy task owning and operating a business in Hyannis. Local support is crucial to the small businesses that fight to keep their doors open in the winter.

Again, thank you all for having confidence in me. I will try every day to let your voice be heard. All I ask in return is that you offer your concerns to me. Remember, if only the same voices are heard every week, it is likely that not everyone is being represented. I used to be one of those people that said, “Only a few people run this town.” Then I asked myself, “But when was the last time I spoke up?” If this town is run by a monopoly it is because we, as voters, allow it to happen. In the new year, ask yourself, “Is my voice being heard?” I look forward to hearing it.